Florence, a powerful Category 4 hurricane, is expected to make landfall in the Carolinas late Thursday or early Friday but heavy rainfall is expected to hit Georgia to the south.

Liberty Mutual Insurance and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company write the most commercial property insurance coverage in North and SC, according to a report on Wednesday by Moody's, citing data from SNL Financial.

President Donald Trump, warning residents to get out of the way, said the federal government was "ready for the big one that is coming".

"Everyone who is staying here is either a real old timer, someone who doesn't know where would be better, or someone involved in emergency operations one way or another", said Fox. It may move a little north into Virginia or a little south into SC.

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The last Category 4 hurricane to plow directly into North Carolina was Hazel in 1954, a devastating storm that killed 19 people.

The shift in the projected track had areas that once thought they were out of range anxious. "This will allow us to take care of our community and also be prepared should the need arise to assist others", Walker said.

"We've had our lessons". "You're going to be displaced from your home in coastal areas".

Wind speeds of risky Hurricane Florence decreased slightly Wednesday afternoon to 120 miles per hour according to the 5 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for north of the North Carolina/Virginia border to Cape Charles Light, VA, and for Chesapeake Bay south of New Point Comfort. North Carolina corrections officials said more than 3,000 people were relocated from adult prisons and juvenile centers in the path of Florence, and more than 300 county prisoners were transferred to state facilities.

A man sweeps the entrance of a boarded up store before Hurricane Florence comes ashore in Carolina Beach, North Carolina, U.S., September 12, 2018.

The storm is now classified as a "major hurricane", meaning wind speeds are greater than 110 miles per hour.

National Weather Service forecaster Brandon Locklear predicted Florence would drop up to eight months' worth of rain in two or three days.

Officials said some 1.7 million people in the Carolinas and Virginia were warned to evacuate, but it's unclear how many did. Cars and trucks full of people and belongings streamed inland.

In Myrtle Beach, S.C., and nearby areas, the surge could hit 6-9 feet.